Lionel Messi and his PSG team-mates defeated a Saudi All-Star side including Cristiano Ronaldo in a nine-goal thriller.
The game was full of drama with Messi, Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe all getting on the scoresheet.
PSG went down to 10 men in the 39th minute and Neymar missed a penalty but they still managed to win Thursday’s friendly match in Saudi Arabia.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in his first game in Saudi Arabia and Lionel Messi was also on the scoresheet as Paris St-Germain edged a Riyadh All-Star XI 5-4 in a thrilling contest.
The exhibition match in the Saudi capital saw two of the greatest players of all time sharing a pitch together for possibly the final time.
Messi opened the scoring and Ronaldo netted twice for 2-2 at half-time.
Both players were substituted off just after the hour mark.
The two PSG centre-backs were also on the scoresheet as Sergio Ramos added to Marquinhos’ delightful finish in the opening period.
But the French side played much of the game with 10 men as Juan Bernat received a straight red card for hauling down Saudi international Salem Al Dawsari and Neymar also missed a penalty in a breathtaking first half.
Jang Hyun-soo’s header drew the All-Star XI level at 3-3, but Kylian Mbappe’s penalty and substitute Hugo Ekitike’s composed effort put PSG out of sight.
Anderson Talisca drilled in a long-range consolation late in injury-time but there was not time for a dramatic equaliser.
Two GOATS face off
Cristiano Ronaldo has had to wait for his debut since a big move to Al-Nassr due to his suspension from his time at Manchester United.
But he will make his competitive debut for his new side on Sunday, when they host Ettifaq at Mrsool Park.
How appropriate that his first match in the Middle Eastern nation was a high-profile and fiercely competitive friendly against Messi, who had just won the World Cup in nearby Qatar only a month ago.
After just two minutes, the Argentina captain pounced on Neymar’s pass and scored the game’s first goal, but the 37-year-old captain of Portugal was not to be outdone.
Ronaldo’s first goal came from the penalty spot when PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas’ forearm slammed into his face and knocked him to the ground, leaving him with a severely injured cheek.
He also demonstrated the hunger and desire he still had for the second goal by responding quickly to score it after an earlier header hit the post showcasing his trademark celebration for both goals with the crowd joining in.
If they didn’t run into each other again in the latter stages of their illustrious careers, they might have played each other for the final time at the 61-minute mark.
